Prayer as Incense

[Cruxis117]

I’ve been given the argument that praying to the Saints is wrong because our prayers are like incense to God, and incense is used in worship, and thus giving it to the Saints is wrong. What would be a good response to that?

 

[MarcusAndreas]

The use of incense is symbolic of our prayers ascending into Heaven.

 

[ESMDHokie77]

that’s a new criticism, I’ll probably never hear them all…

Not all prayers are minded toward worship (aka adoration). Some prayers are for asking (intercession), thanksgiving, etc. we can certainly ask the prayers to pray for us and we can thank them for such.

 

[eddadonkey]

I’ve been given the argument that praying to the Saints is wrong because our prayers are like incense to God, and incense is used in worship, and thus giving it to the Saints is wrong. What would be a good response to that?

Ask him/her who in the Scriptures offers the prayers of the saints.

And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and with golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. Revelations 5:8

And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer; and he was given much incense to mingle with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar before the throne; and the smoke of the incense rose with the prayers of the saints from the hand of the angel before God. Revelations 8:3-4

Yep, the saints and angels themselves offer our prayers to God.

SO tell him/her we offer our prayers to the saints so that they may offer them to God.